I’m starting a new series of posts on things to see and do primarily on the Big Island (where I live). And what better way than to start from the top: the summit of Mauna Kea.
This trip is amazing. Where on earth can you go from sea-level to almost 14,000 feet in a matter of a couple of hours? Here are a few tips if you are considering this journey:
- If you are starting from Kona, plan on leaving about two-o’clock in the afternoon for your trip. Go north on Highway 19 to Waikaloa Road, turn right and head up past Waikaloa Village to Mamalahoa Hwy. 190. (You could also head out of Kona up Palani Street to Hwy 190 and turn left). Turn left and travel several miles to Saddle Road (Hwy 200), turn right. Then you go about 18 miles until you reach the Mauna Kea Summit road on your left.
- At about 9,000 feet you encounter the Visitor’s Center. This is great place to stay for an hour and a half or so to acclimate to the altitude. We usually pack some chili and eat dinner here on the picnic tables.
- By the way, did I mention you need to bring some warm clothes with you
- Plan to leave for the summit no later then 6:00 p.m. The road from here is dirt and steep and very bumpy. Its best to use a four-wheel-drive
- Once you are on the summit, enjoy the sunset view and the astonishing structures of some of the world’s most advanced telescopes.
- Usually 30 minutes after sunset the astronomers want everybody to head back down so they can calibrate their telescopes
- You can return to the Visitor Center and hang out and observe maybe the most stars and planets you will ever see in your life. Most nights amateur astronomers set up their telescopes and offer guided tours of the universe
- When you are ready, head back to where you started out
All in all this is a long adventure, but one you will always remember.
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